Joshua Abraham Norton
alias "Emperor Norton"
Born	c. 1819 England[1]
Died	January 8, 1880 San Francisco, California, U.S.

Joshua Abraham Norton (c. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city The United States of America —commonly referred to as the 1819^[2] – January 8, 1880), the self-proclaimed His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of San Francisco, California who in 1859 proclaimed himself "Emperor of these United States"^[3] and "Protector of Mexico. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Imperial Majesty ( His/Her Imperial Majesty, abbreviated as HIM) is a style used by Emperors and Empresses The style is used to distinguish The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. An emperor (from the Latin " Imperator " is a (male Monarch, usually the sovereign ruler of an Empire or another type of The United States of America —commonly referred to as the The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. "^[4] Born in London, Norton spent most of his early life in South Africa; he emigrated to San Francisco in 1849 after receiving a bequest of $40,000 from his father's estate. London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa Norton initially made a living as a businessman, but he lost his fortune investing in Peruvian rice. A businessperson (also businessman or businesswoman) is someone who is employed at usually a profit-oriented enterprise, or more specifically someone Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many ^[5]

After losing a lawsuit in which he tried to void his rice contract, Norton left San Francisco. He returned a few years later, apparently mentally unbalanced, claiming to be the emperor of the United States. ^[6] Although he had no political power, and his influence extended only so far as he was humored by those around him, he was treated deferentially in San Francisco, and currency issued in his name was honored in the establishments he frequented. Political power ( Imperium in Latin is a type of power held by a group in a Society which allows administration of some or all of A currency is a unit of exchange, facilitating the transfer of Goods and/or services It is one form of Money, where money is

Though he was considered insane, or at least highly eccentric,^[7] the citizens of San Francisco celebrated his regal presence and his proclamations, most famously, his "order" that the United States Congress be dissolved by force (which Congress and the U.S. Army ignored) and his numerous decrees calling for a bridge and a tunnel to be built across San Francisco Bay. Traditionally insanity or madness is the behaviour whereby a person flouts societal norms and may become a danger to himself and others In popular usage eccentricity refers to unusual or odd Behavior on the part of an individual The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. San Francisco Bay is a shallow productive Estuary through which water draining from approximately forty percent of California, flowing in the Sacramento ^[8] On January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed at a street corner, and died before he could be given medical treatment. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year The following day, nearly 30,000 people packed the streets of San Francisco to pay homage to Norton. ^[9] Norton's legacy has been immortalized in the literature of writers Mark Twain, and Robert Louis Stevenson who based characters on him. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30 1835 – April 21 1910 better known by the Pen name Mark Twain, was an American Humorist, satirist Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (13 November 1850–3 December 1894 was a Scottish novelist poet and travel writer, and a representative of Neo-romanticism in In December 2004, a resolution was made to name the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge in honor of Norton, but the idea did not progress further. ^[10]

Early life

Norton was born in England, but scholarly works vary as to the date and exact town of his birth. England is a Country which is part of the United Kingdom. Its inhabitants account for more than 83% of the total UK population whilst its mainland His obituary in the San Francisco Chronicle, "following the best information obtainable," cited the silver plate on his coffin which said he was "aged about 65",^[11] suggesting that 1814 could be the year of his birth. The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H Silver (ˈsɪlvɚ is a Chemical element with the symbol " Ag " (argentum from the Ancient Greek: ἀργήντος - argēntos gen Other sources claim that he was born on February 4, 1819 in London. Events 211 - Roman Emperor Septimius Severus dies leaving the Roman Empire in the hands of his two quarrelsome sons Year 1819 ( MDCCCXIX) was a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar in the Gregorian Calendar (or a Common year London ( ˈlʌndən is the capital and largest urban area in the United Kingdom. ^[12] Immigration records indicate that he was two years old in 1820 when his parents moved to South Africa. The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa ^[13] South African genealogies suggest that his father was John Norton (d. August 1848) and his mother was Sarah Norden. ^[14] Sarah was the daughter of Abraham Norden and sister of Benjamin Norden, a successful Jewish merchant. ^[12]

Norton emigrated from South Africa to San Francisco in 1849 after receiving a bequest of $40,000 from his father's estate. The City and County of San Francisco is the fourth most populous city ^[9] He enjoyed a good deal of success in the real estate market and accumulated a fortune of $250,000 by 1852. ^[12] Norton thought he saw a business opportunity when China, facing a severe famine, placed a ban on the export of rice, causing the price of rice in San Francisco to skyrocket from four cents per pound to thirty-six cents per pound (9 cents/kg to 79 cents/kg). China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Rice is a Cereal foodstuff which forms an important part of the diet of many people worldwide and as such it is a staple food for many ^[9] When he heard that the Glyde, which was returning from Peru, was carrying 200,000 pounds (100 net tons) of rice, he bought all of the rice for $25,000, hoping to corner the rice market. Peru (Perú Piruw Piruw officially the Republic of Peru ( reˈpuβlika del peˈɾu is a country in western South America. Units of mass There are three similar units of Mass called the ton: Long ton (simply ton in countries such as the United ^[9] On December 22, 1852, he put down two thousand dollars and signed a contract to pay the remainder of the $25,000 within thirty days. Events 1790 - The Turkish fortress of Izmail is stormed and captured by Suvorov and his Russian armies Year 1852 ( MDCCCLII) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year ^[9]

One day later, several shiploads of rice from Peru came into San Francisco harbor. As a result, the price of rice plummeted to three cents a pound. Norton tried to void the contract, stating that the dealer had misled him as to the quality of rice to expect. ^[9] From 1853 to 1857, Norton and the rice dealers were involved in a protracted litigation. Although Norton prevailed in the lower courts, the case reached the Supreme Court of California, which ruled against Norton. The Supreme Court of California is the State supreme court in California. ^[15] Later on, the Lucas Turner and Company Bank foreclosed on his real estate holdings in North Beach to pay Norton's debt. ^[9] Norton's mental state was severely affected by these financial setbacks. He declared bankruptcy in 1858 and left the city for a time. Bankruptcy is a legally declared inability or impairment of ability of an individual or organization to pay their Creditors Creditors may file a bankruptcy petition against There are no known documents noting that Norton had an eccentric personality prior to the loss of his fortune, so it is not known whether his pronounced eccentricity was a permanent aspect of his character or arose as a result of the stressful financial straits he found himself in during the 1850s. Nonetheless, after his sudden loss of financial stability, Norton became (in the absence of a proper diagnosis) somewhat "odd", exhibiting the symptoms often referred to as "delusions of grandeur". Megalomania (from the Greek word μεγαλομανία is a historical term for behavior characterized by Delusional fantasies of Wealth, power ^[8]

Imperial career

Norton in full regalia

When Norton returned to San Francisco from his self-imposed exile, he had become completely disgruntled with what he considered the vicissitudes and inadequacies of the legal and political structures of the United States. Exile means to be away from one's home (ie city state or country while either being explicitly refused permission to return and/or being threatened by prison or death upon return On September 17, 1859, he took matters into his own hands and distributed letters to the various newspapers in the city, proclaiming himself "Emperor of these United States":

Norton would later add "Protector of Mexico" to this title. The United Mexican States ( or commonly Mexico (ˈmɛksɪkoʊ () is a federal constitutional Republic in North America. Thus commenced his unprecedented and whimsical twenty-one-year "reign" over America.

One of Norton's undated proclamations

In accordance with his self-appointed role of emperor, Norton issued numerous decrees on matters of the state. After assuming absolute control over the country, he saw no further need for a legislature, and on October 12, 1859, he issued a decree that formally "dissolved" the United States Congress. Events 539 BC - The army of Cyrus the Great of Persia takes Babylon. Year 1859 ( MDCCCLIX) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common The United States Congress is the bicameral Legislature of the federal government of the United States of America, consisting of two houses In the decree, Norton observed:

As a result, Norton ordered that all interested parties gather at Platt's Music Hall in San Francisco in February 1860 so as to "remedy the evil complained of". ^[18]

In another imperial decree a month later, Norton summoned the army to depose the elected officials of the U. S. Congress:

Norton's orders obviously had no effect on the army, and the Congress likewise continued in its activities unperturbed. Norton issued further decrees in 1860 that purported to dissolve the republic and to forbid the assembly of any members of the Congress. ^[18] Norton's battle against the elected leaders of America was to persist throughout what he considered his reign, though it appears that Norton eventually, if somewhat grudgingly, accepted that Congress would continue to exist without his permission, although this did not change his feelings on the matter. In the hopes of resolving the many disputes between citizens of the United States during the Civil War, Norton issued a mandate in 1862 ordering both the Protestant and Roman Catholic Church churches to publicly ordain him as Emperor. Causes of the war See also Origins of the American Civil War, Timeline of events leading to the American Civil War The coexistence of a slave-owning South Protestantism refers to the forms of Christian faith and practice that originated in the 16th century Protestant Reformation. ^[12]

His attempts to overthrow the elected government of America by force having been utterly ignored, Norton turned his attention and his proclamations to other matters, both political and social. On August 12, 1869, "being desirous of allaying the dissensions of party strife now existing within our realm", he abolished both the Democratic and Republican parties. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid Year 1869 ( MDCCCLXIX) is a Common year starting on Friday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Common year The Democratic Party is one of two major Political parties in the United States, the other being the Republican Party. ^[4] The failure to refer to Norton's adopted home city with appropriate respect was the subject of a particularly stern edict in 1872:

For all of his quirks and regardless of the precise nature of his psychological condition, Norton was, on some occasions a visionary, and a number of his "Imperial Decrees" exhibited a profound foresight. Among his many edicts were instructions to form a League of Nations,^[21] and he explicitly forbade any form of discord or conflict between religions or their sects. The League of Nations was an International organization founded as a result of the Treaty of Versailles in 1919–1920 The Emperor also saw fit on a number of occasions to decree the construction of a suspension bridge or tunnel connecting Oakland and San Francisco, his later decrees becoming increasingly irritated at the lack of prompt obedience being exhibited by the authorities:

This suggestion, unlike Norton's others, actually came to fruition, but not because of him; construction of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge began on July 9, 1933 and was completed on November 12, 1936. Events 455 - Roman military commander Avitus is proclaimed Emperor of the Western Roman Empire. Year 1933 ( MCMXXXIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link will display full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 764 - Tibetan troops occupy Chang'an, the capital of the Chinese Tang Dynasty, for fifteen days Year 1936 ( MCMXXXVI) was a Leap year starting on Wednesday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. ^[23] The Bay Area Rapid Transit's Transbay Tube was completed in 1969 and opened in 1972. The Transbay Tube is the part of BART which runs under San Francisco Bay in California and is the longest underwater tube for Rapid transit ^[24]

Life as emperor

Norton dressed as the Pope at the funeral of the itinerant dog Lazarus. History See also History of the Papacy Catholics recognize the Pope as a successor to Saint Peter, who Jesus named as the "shepherd" and For the word itinerant used to describe electrons from free-electron metals see Jellium. Bummer and Lazarus were two stray dogs that roamed the streets of San Francisco, California, USA, in the early 1860s ^[25]

Norton spent his days as emperor inspecting the streets of San Francisco in an elaborate blue uniform with tarnished gold-plated epaulets, given to him by officers of the United States Army post at the Presidio of San Francisco. A uniform is a set of standard Clothing worn by members of an organization while participating in that organization's activity Epaulette (ˈɛpǝlɛt is a French word meaning "little shoulder" (from épaule, meaning "shoulder" The United States Army is a military organization whose primary mission is to "provide necessary forces and capabilities. The Presidio of San Francisco (originally El Presidio Real de San Francisco or Royal Presidio of San Francisco) is a park on the northern tip of the San He also wore a beaver hat decorated with a peacock feather and a rosette. In much of Europe during the period 1550-1850 hats made of felted beaver fur were fashionable The term peafowl refers to Gallinaceous Birds classified within the genera Rheinardia Argusianus Afropavoand Pavo The term peafowl refers to Gallinaceous Birds classified within the genera Rheinardia Argusianus Afropavoand Pavo ^[26] He frequently enhanced this regal posture with a cane or an umbrella. A cane is a long straight wooden stick generally of Bamboo, Malacca ( Rattan) or some similar plant mainly used as a support such as a Walking stick "Parasol" redirects here For other uses see Umbrella (disambiguation, Umbrella (song or Parasol (disambiguation During his inspections, Norton would examine the condition of the sidewalks and cable cars, the state of repair of public property, and the appearance of police officers. A sidewalk (chiefly North American English) pavement ( British English and Philadelphia dialect) footpath ( Australian English A cable car or cable railway is a Mass transit system using rail cars that are propelled by a continuously moving cable running at a constant speed Public property is Property which is owned by a Government or community as opposed to private property which is owned by non-government parties such as individuals Police are agents or agencies usually of the executive, empowered to enforce the law and to effect public and social order through the legitimatized use of force ^[27] Norton would also frequently give lengthy philosophical expositions on a variety of topics to anyone within earshot at the time. Philosophy is the study of general problems concerning matters such as existence knowledge truth beauty justice validity mind and language

It was during one of his inspections that Norton is reputed to have performed one of his most famous acts of "diplomacy. " During the 1860s and 1870s, there were a number of anti-Chinese demonstrations in the poorer districts of San Francisco. China ( Wade-Giles ( Mandarin) Chung¹kuo² is a cultural region, an ancient Civilization, and depending on perspective a National Ugly riots, some resulting in fatalities, broke out on several occasions. Riots are a form of Civil disorders characterized by disorganized groups lashing out in a sudden and intense rash of Violence, Vandalism or other During one such incident, Norton allegedly positioned himself between the rioters and their Chinese targets, and with a bowed head started reciting the Lord's Prayer repeatedly until the rioters dispersed without incident. The Lord's Prayer, also known as the Our Father or Pater noster, is probably the best-known Prayer in Christianity. ^[27]

Norton was much loved and revered by the citizens of San Francisco. Although penniless, he regularly ate at the finest restaurants in San Francisco; these restaurateurs then took it upon themselves to add brass plaques in their entrances declaring "[b]y Appointment to his Imperial Majesty, Emperor Norton I of the United States. Brass is any Alloy of Copper and Zinc; the proportions of zinc and copper can be varied to create a range of brasses with varying properties "^[28] By all accounts, such "Imperial seals of approval" were much prized and a substantial boost to trade. Supposedly, no play or musical performance in San Francisco would dare to open without reserving balcony seats for Norton. ^[9]

A popular rumor started by the devoted Norton caricaturist Ed Jump holds that he had two dogs, Bummer and Lazarus, who were themselves notable San Francisco celebrities at the time. Edward Jump (1832-1883 was an artist and Cartoonist of the 19th century born in Paris, France. Bummer and Lazarus were two stray dogs that roamed the streets of San Francisco, California, USA, in the early 1860s ^[29] Although he did not own the dogs, Norton ate at free lunch counters where he provided the dogs with a few morsels of food. ^[5]

A ten dollar note issued by the Imperial Government of Norton I.

In 1867, a police officer named Armand Barbier arrested Norton for the purpose of committing him to involuntary treatment for a mental disorder. An arrest is the act of depriving a person of his or her liberty usually in relation to the investigation and prevention of crime Mental disorder or mental illness is a psychological or behavioral pattern that occurs in an individual and is thought to cause distress or disability that is not expected as ^[3] The arrest outraged the citizens of San Francisco and sparked a number of scathing editorials in the newspapers. An editorial, leader (UK or leading article (UK is an article in a Newspaper or Magazine that expresses the opinion of the Editor Police Chief Patrick Crowley speedily rectified matters by ordering Norton released and issuing a formal apology on behalf of the police force. ^[9] Chief Crowley observed of the self-styled monarch "that he had shed no blood; robbed no one; and despoiled no country; which is more than can be said of his fellows in that line. "^[12] Norton was magnanimous enough to grant an "Imperial Pardon" to the errant young police officer. Possibly as a result of this scandal, all police officers of San Francisco thereafter saluted Norton as he passed in the street. A salute (also called obeisance) is a Gesture (often Hand gesture) or other action used to display respect ^[27]

Norton did receive some small tokens of formal recognition for his self-claimed position: the 1870 U. S. census records a Joshua Norton residing at 624 Commercial Street and lists his occupation as "Emperor. A census is the procedure of acquiring information about every member of a given population "^[4][30] Norton would also issue his own money on occasion in order to pay for certain debts, and this became an accepted local currency in San Francisco. In Economics, a local currency, in its common usage is a Currency not backed by a national government (and not necessarily Legal tender) and intended Typically these notes came in denominations ranging anywhere from fifty cents to five dollars; the few notes still extant are collector's items. For the record label see Collectables Records For the Ashanti album see Collectables by Ashanti A collectable The city of San Francisco also honored Norton. When his uniform began to look shabby, the San Francisco Board of Supervisors, with a great deal of ceremony, bought him a suitably regal replacement. The San Francisco Board of Supervisors is the legislature of the City and County of San Francisco, California. In return, Norton sent them a gracious note of thanks and issued a "patent of nobility in perpetuity" for each supervisor. Letters patent are a type of Legal instrument in the form of an Open letter issued by a Monarch or Government, granting an office right ^[31]

Later years and death

During the later years of Norton's "reign", he was the subject of considerable rumor and speculation. One popular story suggested that he was the son of Emperor Louis Napoleon and that his claim of coming from South Africa was a ruse to prevent persecution. Napoléon III, also known as Louis-Napoléon Bonaparte (full name Charles Louis Napoléon Bonaparte) (20 April 1808 9 January 1873 was the first President The Republic of South Africa (also known by other official names) is a country located at the southern tip of the continent of Africa ^[11][32] Another popular story suggested that Norton was planning to marry Queen Victoria. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ^[3] While this claim is unsupported, Norton did write to the Queen on several occasions and he is reported to have met Emperor Pedro II of Brazil. Pedro II, (ˈpedɾu seˈgũdu December 2, 1825 December 5, 1891) was the second and last Emperor of Brazil. ^[12] Rumors also circulated that Norton was supremely wealthy—only affecting poverty because he was miserly.

A number of decrees that were probably fraudulent were submitted and duly printed in local newspapers, and it is believed that in at least a few cases, newspaper editors themselves drafted fictitious edicts to suit their own agendas. ^[9] The Museum of the City of San Francisco maintains a list of the decrees believed to be genuine. The Museum of the City of San Francisco operated by the San Francisco Historical Society currently has exhibits at Pier 45 and San Francisco City Hall. ^[4]

Norton is now buried in his second grave in Colma, California. Colma is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County California, at the northern end of the San Francisco Peninsula

On the evening of January 8, 1880, Norton collapsed on the corner of California Street and Dupont Street (now Grant Avenue) in front of Old St. Events 871 - Battle of Ashdown - Ethelred of Wessex defeats a Danish invasion army Year 1880 ( MDCCCLXXX) was a Leap year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar (or a Leap year Mary's Church while on his way to a lecture at the California Academy of Sciences. The California Academy of Sciences is one of the ten largest Museums of natural history in the world and one of the oldest in the United States consisting of a coral ^[9] His collapse was immediately noticed and "the police officer on the beat hastened for a carriage to convey him to the City Receiving Hospital. "^[33] Norton died before a carriage could arrive. The following day the San Francisco Chronicle published his obituary on its front page under the headline "Le Roi est Mort" ("The King is Dead"). The San Francisco Chronicle was founded in 1865 as The Daily Dramatic Chronicle by teenage brothers Charles de Young and Michael H ^[33] In a tone tinged with sadness, the article respectfully reported that, "[o]n the reeking pavement, in the darkness of a moon-less night under the dripping rain. . . , Norton I, by the grace of God, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life". ^[33] The Morning Call, another leading San Francisco newspaper, published a front-page article using an almost identical sentence as a headline: "Norton the First, by the grace of God Emperor of these United States and Protector of Mexico, departed this life. "^[4]

It quickly became evident that, contrary to the rumors, Norton had died in complete poverty. Five or six dollars in small change had been found on his person, and a search of his room at the boarding house on Commercial Street turned up a single sovereign, worth around $2. 50; his collection of walking sticks; his rather battered saber; a variety of hats (including a stovepipe, a derby, a red-laced Army cap, and another cap suited to a martial band-master); an 1828 French franc; and a handful of the Imperial bonds he sold to tourists at a fictitious 7% interest. ^[9][34] There were fake telegrams purporting to be from Emperor Alexander II of Russia, congratulating Norton on his forthcoming marriage to Queen Victoria, and from the President of France, predicting that such a union would be disastrous to world peace. Alexander (Aleksandr II Nikolaevich (Александр II Николаевич ( Moscow, 29 April 1818 – 13 March 1881 in St Also found were his letters to Queen Victoria and 98 shares of stock in a defunct gold mine. Victoria (Alexandrina Victoria 24 May 1819 – 22 January 1901 was from 20 June 1837 the Queen of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland "Gold mine" redirects here See Goldmine for other uses of the term ^[35]

Initial funeral arrangements included a pauper's coffin of simple redwood. A coffin (also known as a casket in North American English) is a funerary Box used in the display and containment of deceased remains – either for Sequoia sempervirens is the sole living Species of the Genus Sequoia in the cypress family Cupressaceae (formerly However, members of the Pacific Club (a San Franciscan businessman's association) established a funeral fund that paid for a handsome rosewood casket and arranged a suitably dignified farewell. A casket, or a jewellery box is a receptacle for Trinkets and jewels. ^[12]

Norton's funeral was a solemn, mournful and large affair. Respects were paid ". . . by all classes from capitalists to the pauper, the clergyman to the pickpocket, well-dressed ladies and those whose garb and bearing hinted of the social outcast. "^[11] Some accounts report that as many as 30,000 people lined the streets to pay homage, and that the funeral cortege was two miles (3 km) long. He was buried at the Masonic Cemetery, at the expense of the City of San Francisco. ^[9]

In 1934, Norton's remains were transferred, as were all graves in the city, at the expense of the City of San Francisco to a grave site of moderate splendor at Woodlawn Cemetery, in Colma. Colma is a small incorporated town in San Mateo County California, at the northern end of the San Francisco Peninsula The site is marked by a small worn stone marked with "Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico". ^[36]

Posthumous recognition

See also: Emperor Norton in popular culture

Artist's concept of the replacement span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge; a proposal to name it after Norton I was rejected by Oakland City Council. Joshua Abraham Norton (ca 1815 &ndash January 8, 1880) also known as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of

Although details of Norton's life story may have been forgotten, he was immortalized in literature. Mark Twain, who was resident in San Francisco during part of Emperor Norton's "reign", modeled the character of the King in Adventures of Huckleberry Finn after Norton. Samuel Langhorne Clemens (November 30 1835 – April 21 1910 better known by the Pen name Mark Twain, was an American Humorist, satirist Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (often shortened to Huck Finn) is a novel written by American Humorist Mark Twain. ^[7]

Robert Louis Stevenson made Norton a character in his 1892 novel, The Wrecker. Robert Louis Balfour Stevenson (13 November 1850–3 December 1894 was a Scottish novelist poet and travel writer, and a representative of Neo-romanticism in Stevenson's stepdaughter, Isobel Field, wrote about Norton in her autobiography entitled This Life I've Loved. She wrote that Norton "was a gentle and kindly man, and fortunately found himself in the friendliest and most sentimental city in the world, the idea being 'let him be emperor if he wants to. ' San Francisco played the game with him. "^[9]

Over the years Norton's eccentricity has been a continuing source of inspiration: he appears as a patron saint in the parody religion of Discordianism,^[37] and makes numerous appearances in popular culture. A parody religion or mock religion is either a Parody of a Religion, Sect or Cult, or a relatively unserious religion that many Discordianism is a modern Religion centered on the idea that Chaos is as important as order. Joshua Abraham Norton (ca 1815 &ndash January 8, 1880) also known as His Imperial Majesty Emperor Norton I, was a celebrated citizen of

In January 1980, numerous ceremonies were conducted in San Francisco to honor the 100th anniversary of the passing of the one and only "Emperor of the United States. "^[4] Norton's proclamations promoting a bridge between San Francisco and Oakland were commemorated on December 14, 2004, when the San Francisco Board of Supervisors approved a resolution calling for the new span of the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge to be named after Norton. Events 1287 - St Lucia's flood: The Zuider Zee sea wall in the Netherlands collapses killing over 50000 people "MMIV" redirects here For the Modest Mouse album see " Baron von Bullshit Rides Again " The proposal, however, needed the approval of the City of Oakland and then state authorities before it could be ratified. The members of the Oakland City Council expressed disapproval of the proposal, and no progress was made on the resolution afterwards. ^[38]

See also

• Nicolás Zúñiga y Miranda, self proclaimed President of Mexico
• Emperor Norton in popular culture

Notes

References

• Barker, Malcolm, E. ; Jump, Edward (January, 2001). Bummer & Lazarus: San Francisco's Famous Dogs : Revised With New Stories, New Photographs, and New Introduction. San Francisco: Londonborn Publications. ISBN 0-930235-07-X.  
• Cech, John (1997). A rush of dreamers : being the remarkable story of Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico. New York: Marlowe. ISBN 1-56924-775-7.  
• Cowan, Robert Ernest. "Norton I, Emperor of the United States and Protector of Mexico (Joshua A. Norton, 1819-1880)" in Quarterly of the California Historical Society. San Francisco: California Historical Society, October 1923.
• Cowan, Robert E. et al. The Forgotten Characters of Old San Francisco. Los Angeles: The Ward Ritchie Press, 1964.
• Dressler, Albert (1927). Emperor Norton, life and experiences of a notable character in San Francisco, 1849-1880. San Francisco: A. Dressler. LC CT275. N75 D7.  
• Drury, William (1986). Norton I, Emperor of the United States. New York: Dodd, Mead & Company, Inc. ISBN 0-396-08509-1.  
• Kramer, William M. (1974). Emperor Norton of San Francisco : a look at the life and death and strange burials of the most famous eccentric of gold rush California. Santa Monica, California: Norton B. Stern. ASIN B0006CF3KO.  
• Lane, Allen Stanley (1939). Emperor Norton, Mad Monarch of America. Caldwell, Idaho: The Caxton printers, Ltd. ASIN B00086ATPC.  
• Ryder, David Warren (1939). San Francisco's Emperor Norton. San Francisco: Alex. Dulfer Printing and Lithographing Co. LC CT275. N75 R9.  

External links

• Emperor Norton Proclamations